What is sterling silver from China?

Online shopping is very popular today. This is especially true for jewelry and decor. Chinese sites offer silver products at attractive prices. Beautiful photographs are eye-catching too. However, many question whether it is worth relying on the good faith of such manufacturers. Find out what are the features of sterling silver from China, and what you should look for when buying.

The history of the name of sterling silver is still a mystery. However, many believe that such a metal was once used in the production of sterling (high quality English coins issued during the time of Henry II). In any case, such silver is still highly valued today. 925 sterling silver items contain 92.5% pure silver. The remaining 7.5% is another metal. Typically, this is copper or aluminum. The addition of a third-party ingredient does not degrade the quality of the silver. On the contrary, it gives it additional hardness and strength.

Today, many jewelry is produced in the countries of Southeast Asia. High-quality silver items by Chinese craftsmen amaze with their sophistication and can easily compete with European models. Moreover, the cost of such goods is lower than analogues from other countries. This is due to the low wages of workers.

Nevertheless Often, customers are disappointed when they receive a cheap product with a thin layer of dusting instead of a silver jewelry by mail. Visually, the difference may not be noticeable. However, the spraying is quickly erased, which spoils the appearance of the product. Then it becomes clear that the person has become a victim of deception.

There are internationally accepted designations describing the composition of a metal object:

• silver plated (SP) - 100% silver plated item;
• sterling silver plated (SSP) - sterling silver plated item;
• silver on copper or EPC is a silver plated copper product.

Some unscrupulous manufacturers omit the word plated from the description. Therefore, the buyer thinks that the item is made entirely of 925 metal. In order not to regret buying in the future, before placing an order on the Internet, it is worth checking with the seller what the product is made of. And it is advisable to study the reviews of those who are already familiar with the products of the selected manufacturer... In addition, it is important to understand that, despite some difference in cost with goods from other countries, products made from real silver alloy cannot be too cheap.

As already said, sterling silver is an alloy. The basis is noble silver (92.5%). This explains the numbers indicated on the sample. Copper is 7.5%.

The alloy has a light, almost White color. He it is highly durable, resistant to corrosion and other negative environmental influences. That is why products made from such material retain their shape, shine and shade for a long time.

Unlike pure silver, which quickly oxidizes and darkens, sterling metal does not lose its beauty and is easy to clean. Therefore, jewelry and other products made from this material can become heirlooms, inherited. In addition, 925 sterling silver has antiseptic properties.

The material is easy to process, has ductility and good ductility. Therefore, it is widely used to create exquisite jewelry. These are chains, pendants, bracelets, earrings, cufflinks, tie clips.

Unlike pure silver, whose softness does not allow making dishes and decor, sterling metal is often used to create cutlery, beautiful trays, tableware. Collectors appreciate exclusive coins 925 sterling. And also in stores you can find silver boxes, cigarette cases and figurines. Any of these items can be a great gift.

Despite the fact that the metal is resistant to the influence of the external environment, if the product is kept in conditions of high humidity or under the influence of direct sunlight, it may darken. Therefore, it is better to observe optimal storage conditions. For example, jewelry can be put in a wooden box. Ideally, each piece will be stored in a separate soft cloth bag. The dishes can be put in a cupboard or showcase.

As for cleaning, do not use harsh chemicals, hard brushes, tooth powder and other abrasive compounds. A great option is a product created specifically for cleaning coins.

If you don't want to go to a specialty store for such a substance, you can use a dishwashing gel. In this case, you need to dissolve a drop of gel in a small amount of warm water. Then, metal products must be lowered into a container with the resulting liquid and carefully rinsed.

Regular care may consist of wiping down the garments with a soft dry cloth.... This will prevent the silver from tarnishing. If the item is of particular value to you, you can take it to a jewelry store at the first sign of darkening. Most of these places provide services professional cleaning. So you will be calm about the safety of the integrity of the item and can get it back in the same excellent condition in which it was at the time of purchase.

For an overview of sterling silver from China, see the video below.